LOCAL REACTION: Citizens wary of war

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Posted Sep. 1, 2013 at 1:53 PM

Posted Sep. 1, 2013 at 1:53 PM

Canandaigua, N.Y.

By Julie Sherwood jsherwood@messengerpostmedia.com

Kershaw Park Saturday afternoon was filled families having picnics, couples strolling hand-in-hand, joggers, parents pushing strollers and people walking dogs. The Canandaigua Lady excursion boat glazed through the waters at the north end of Canandaigua Lake amidst kayaks, sailboats and other watercraft riding gentle waves. The peaceful scene on Lakeshore Drive was a far cry from what played out on the national front, however, as President Barack Obama abruptly announced he will seek congressional approval before launching any military action meant to punish Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons in an attack that killed hundreds.

Steve Biken of Gorham, who was walking his dog in Kershaw Park, said he believes a vote by Congress is a must before taking military action. Even so, like others at the park who shared their thoughts, he was not eager for war.

A Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy, Biklen said the nation has seen too many wars. Speaking about the nation’s more recent wars, beginning with Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan, Biklen said “these things turn out to be disasters.”

Jay Maslyn, a Steuben County resident who was enjoying the day with family from Farmington, shared a similar view. “It always ends up bad for us,” he said. He added that without the help of other nations such as Great Britain, which said it would not participate, he feels going to war with Syria would be a particularly bad idea. He suggested an alternative: “Pressure should be put on Russia, to clean up its ‘house,’” said Maslyn, of Syria’s ally Russia.

JoAnn Fitzgerald of Canandaigua, said she thinks its crucial the United States take some action against Syria, though she too is wary of war — and certainly not a war with the United States going it alone. “It shouldn’t be just the U.S.,” she said. “But something needs to be done,” she added, referring to stopping the use of chemical weapons.

Bernadette Marian, who had just dropped her son, Ryan Micelotta, off at the dorms for Finger Lakes Community College, expressed mixed emotions. “As a superpower, we have a responsibility to help other people,” said Marian, who lives in Amherst, Mass. “But we have not yet finished in other parts of the world, such as Afghanistan,” she said. “And we have a lot to take care of at home,” she added, referring specifically to the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Within hours of Obama’s address to the nation, local congress members released statements. First out of the box was U.S. Rep. Chris Collins, R-Clarence, who represents part of the Finger Lakes region including communities in Ontario and Monroe counties. Collins stated: “I am pleased President Obama has made the decision to consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria. This situation is extremely complex and it is appropriate for all the representatives of the American people to vote on this critical decision. Speaker Boehner has called House Members to Washington tomorrow to participate in a classified, interagency briefing. I will be traveling to Washington to be a part of this important meeting. As I said earlier this week, the situation in Syria is deeply troubling and any military response by the United States could have ramifications far beyond the Syrian border. Before deciding how I will vote when Congress returns to session, I will thoroughly review all of the available intelligence and learn all I can about the limited military action in Syria proposed by President Obama.”